Chapstick addiction?

Shanee18

When I was a freshman in college, I realized that my lips had become "addicted" to chapstick products; if I don't have something on my lips, they are dry, which causes me to pick at the dry, dead skin.  (Gross, I know...)  Then I re-apply chapstick and go through the same cycle again.  I can pretty confidently say I have tried 90% of the products out there: original chapstick, carmex, burt's bees, blistex, vaseline, soft lips...you name it, I've probably tried it.  I've even tried scrubs for lips to rid them of dead skin, using a warm washcloth for the same effect..nothing seems to help!

I am getting worried.  Should I see a doctor for some type of prescription chapstick?  I don't know how to make this go away.  All I want us nice soft lips WITHOUT needing chapstick on them at all hours of the day.  My lips have been like this for years, but honestly if I do need to see a doctor, who the heck do you go to for lips?  Dermatologist?  I have been embarassed about this for a long time, but I want to deal with this situation now.

Any advice?  

jaime10285

Do you drink enough water?  Being dehydrated can cause that too.  If it really bothers you that much, definitely talk to your doctor about it.

Shanee18

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_chapstick-addiction?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:3e9ca797-cc0e-43e4-b5c7-ead5fddc31c9Post:67619401-55d5-4d45-8203-184499066b8a">Re: Chapstick addiction?</a>:
[QUOTE]Do you drink enough water?  Being dehydrated can cause that too.  If it really bothers you that much, definitely talk to your doctor about it.
Posted by jaime10285[/QUOTE]

<div>Yes, I drink at least 8 servings a day, typically more though.</div>

sweet_melissa81

I heard that when you use chapstick too often it stops working or makes your lips worse. I would say stop using the chapstick and try the medicated blistex or give it a break altogether. Plus, it's winter which is typically when your lips do get chapped. Is your house really dry? Maybe a humidifier would help?

chelseakopperud

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_chapstick-addiction?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:3e9ca797-cc0e-43e4-b5c7-ead5fddc31c9Post:409bf937-3a22-4fe5-82a4-4f84452a069f">Chapstick addiction?</a>:
[QUOTE]When I was a freshman in college, I realized that my lips had become "addicted" to chapstick products; if I don't have something on my lips, they are dry, which causes me to pick at the dry, dead skin.  (Gross, I know...)  Then I re-apply chapstick and go through the same cycle again.  I can pretty confidently say I have tried 90% of the products out there: original chapstick, carmex, burt's bees, blistex, vaseline, soft lips...you name it, I've probably tried it.  I've even tried scrubs for lips to rid them of dead skin, using a warm washcloth for the same effect..nothing seems to help! I am getting worried.  Should I see a doctor for some type of prescription chapstick?  I don't know how to make this go away.  All I want us nice soft lips WITHOUT needing chapstick on them at all hours of the day.  My lips have been like this for years, but honestly if I do need to see a doctor, who the heck do you go to for lips?  Dermatologist?  I have been embarassed about this for a long time, but I want to deal with this situation now. Any advice?  :/
Posted by Shanee18[/QUOTE]

Have you used the lip product that Mary Kay makes? There is a mask that you use daily and then a carmex type product you put on after. I think its amazing. It is called satin lips. Also their extra emollient night cream is awesome for lips, hands and feet.

Danidawn20

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_chapstick-addiction?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:3e9ca797-cc0e-43e4-b5c7-ead5fddc31c9Post:3ab36ab8-d85a-4c4d-91ee-69f349eb08c1">Re: Chapstick addiction?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Chapstick addiction? : Have you used the lip product that Mary Kay makes? There is a mask that you use daily and then a carmex type product you put on after. I think its amazing. It is called satin lips. Also their extra emollient night cream is awesome for lips, hands and feet.
Posted by chelseakopperud[/QUOTE]
  I love the satin lips stuff! I tihnk they work great. 

laurabub

I would try a humidifier in your house as well.

michellep1

I literally have the exact same problems.  I like to exfoliate with my toothbrush after I brush my teeth, but honestly it just leads to more picking of the flaky skin.  I just can't leave my skin alone if there's a dry spot that isn't smooth like the rest, I pick and pick until its a disaster - my biggest problem is my cuticles but my lips are bad now too.  One time a doctor told me I was "a picker", I guess its like a thing.

Anyway, one thing that has helped me a little is Neosporin.  I had to put some on a couple weeks ago when I picked my lip so bad that it was bleeding; that actually made me stop for awhile.  I think its more about the motivation to KEEP MY HANDS AWAY FROM MY LIPS, whenever I do they heal up and are soft again.  I bought a couple lipglosses that will look terrible unless my lips underneath look nice, so thats my motivation right now. 

I had a Marykay lady tell me once that chapstick has alcohol in it so that it keeps drying out your lips so you have to keep buying more.  I'm not sure how much I believe that because right after she gave me her card and told me about Marykay's lip system.  So I guess my best advice would be the Neosporin and to keep from picking as much as you can!

k3MySailor

I actually read an article about this in a magazine recently, I believe it was Women's Health. They recommended avoiding chapstick and exfoliating.

Megbo2012

I use eos that yellow ball thing. And drink tons of water. Honestly I would just keep up with the Chapstick regime because the doctors my make it more complicated. Oh man and am I a picker. Hahah

Zimsgirl

I would see a dermatologist to be safe

MMRoberts11

My lips are just like yours.  I try not to pick at the flaky skin as much as possible.  I do the toothbrush thing Michelle mentioned and use vaseline when they get really bad.  For me I'm pretty sure it's the humidity because there are days where my lips will be fine and the next they will look really gross.  My lips seriously prefer a specific humidity range but I'm not exactly sure what it is.

sleblanc72

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_chapstick-addiction?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:3e9ca797-cc0e-43e4-b5c7-ead5fddc31c9Post:04a60998-aa5c-41d1-b6ae-ea4808c41cb5">Re: Chapstick addiction?</a>:
[QUOTE]I use eos that yellow ball thing. And drink tons of water. Honestly I would just keep up with the Chapstick regime because the doctors my make it more complicated. Oh man and am I a picker. Hahah
Posted by Megbo2012[/QUOTE]
Ditto this, only I usually use the Burts Bees.  Recently I've been trying to will myself not to use it as much as I was before and it helps a little but my lips get so chapped.  I'll also ditto the humidifier, we use a cool mist one in the winter and it definitely helps (we're in a basement with a lot of dry heat from 3 floors furnaces).

midgedenver

I've had the same problem since I was in elementary school. I used Lip Smackers so much my lips are really bad at producing their own moisture.

One simple solution is to put it on before bed and it will really set in overnight. When I remember to do that (and use a good product) my lips are fine for all of the next day.

MissAmeliaPond

Are you using chapstick brand? It's really the crappiest brand of lip moisturizer out there. I used to use it in college and was told by my dentist constantly "wow you need some chapstick." He was an idiiot. But that is beside the point. I started drinking more water and switched to Carmex, and it made a big difference.

Also, you could try using just Aquaphor on your lips. My friend's dermatologist told her to use that while she was on accutane.

kristin183

I have the same problem. I use Burt's Bee's medicated lip balm.. but I still apply it like 20 times a day. I drink a ton of water so I know I am not dehydrated. I have tried exfoliating and the Mary Kay stuff but still the same problem. My lips have gotten worse since I moved to New Mexico.. actually my skin is much drier in New Mexico as well.

Shanee18

Thanks for all of the advice ladies!  Typically we use a humidifier in the winter months, but the weather has been so freaky lately that it hasn't seemed like winter yet...I will definitely get that out. 

Chelsea, I actually have not tried that product so hopefully I can order it soon.

I will also definitely try the toothbrush for those who recommended it. 

And last but not least, thanks to those of you who are also pickers/have bad lips.  I felt like such a freak for posting this, but it makes me feel good to not be alone. 

LAJ023

I would mention it to your primary doctor the next time you go in or go see a dermatologist. They probably wouldn't order any prescription medications but they might have some good tips and know what products work best.